System and method to remove the date specific information from a broadcast automation playlist

ABSTRACT

Embodiments herein describe a content distribution system that removes time-dependent promotional content before providing a recording of a media presentation (e.g., show or program) to a video-on-demand (VOD) provider. To receive Nielsen credit for a subscriber watching a recording of the media presentation using VOD, the recording must be almost the same as the live version of the media presentation which includes the original program content and the commercial advertisements shown during commercial breaks. However, some shows also include promotional content that a telecommunication or cable provider adds to the media presentation to promote other shows or events being broadcasted later. By the time the user views the recording, however, the promotional content may already be outdated. The embodiments herein describe techniques for removing time-dependent promotional content from a media presentation before the recording of the media presentation is sent to VOD providers.

BACKGROUND

Field of the Invention

The embodiments herein are generally directed to removing time-dependentcontent from a timeslot playlist before providing content to avideo-on-demand (VOD) provider.

Description of the Related Art

Broadcast playlists or schedules list the sequence of events for abroadcast or cable channel. These playlists are typically based on asection of the day and contain topical promotional content in the formof on-screen graphics (referred to herein as snipes) and videopromotional advertisements. This topical content can advertise what isbeing played later that day on the broadcast or cable channel.

In addition to broadcasting live content, a telecommunication or cableprovider may offer VOD where a subscriber can use a set top box tostream a pre-recorded version of the broadcasted content over theprovider's network. As such, the subscriber can watch the content at alater time. If the recorded version is the same (or very similar) to thecontent that was broadcasted live, then Nielsen credit can be given tothe provider (assuming the subscriber is a Nielsen family) which affectsthe advertisement revenue associated with the content. Typically, therecorded version distributed using VOD is the exact same as the livecontent so that the provider can get Nielsen credit for any subscriberwho views the recorded version within a certain time period of when thelive content was broadcasted—e.g., within three days.

SUMMARY

One embodiment described here is a method for providing a recording of amedia presentation. The method includes receiving a timeslot playlistfor the media presentation, wherein the timeslot playlist comprises alist of content to be provided to a user where the list of contentcomprises entries for program content and commercial advertisementcontent. The method includes identifying time-dependent promotionalcontent in the list of content for the timeslot playlist, wherein thetime-dependent promotional content contains information that is relevantdepending on when the user views the media presentation and removing thetime-dependent promotional content from the timeslot playlist togenerate an adjusted timeslot playlist. The method also includesassembling, using one or more computer processors, content listed in theadjusted timeslot playlist to generate the recording of the mediapresentation, where the recording comprises the program content and thecommercial advertisement content but lacks the time-dependentpromotional content.

Another embodiment described herein includes a non-transitory computerreadable storage medium that includes computer-readable program code forproviding a recording of a media presentation. When executed by acomputing processor, the computer-readable program code performs anoperation that includes receiving a timeslot playlist for the mediapresentation where the timeslot playlist comprises a list of content tobe provided to a user where the list of content comprises entries forprogram content and commercial advertisement content. The operationincludes identifying time-dependent promotional content in the list ofcontent for the timeslot playlist, wherein the time-dependentpromotional content contains information that is relevant depending onwhen the user views the media presentation and removing thetime-dependent promotional content from the timeslot playlist togenerate an adjusted timeslot playlist. The operation includesassembling content listed in the adjusted timeslot playlist to generatethe recording of the media presentation where the recording comprisesthe program content and the commercial advertisement content but lacksthe time-dependent promotional content.

Another embodiment described herein includes one or more computingprocessors and a memory comprising a program that when executed by theone or more computer processor performs an operation. The operationincludes receiving a timeslot playlist for a media presentation, whereinthe timeslot playlist comprises a list of content to be provided to auser where the list of content comprises entries for program content andcommercial advertisement content. The operation includes identifyingtime-dependent promotional content in the list of content for thetimeslot playlist, wherein the time-dependent promotional contentcontains information that is relevant depending on when the user viewsthe media presentation and removing the time-dependent promotionalcontent from the timeslot playlist to generate an adjusted timeslotplaylist. The operation includes assembling content listed in theadjusted timeslot playlist to generate the recording of the mediapresentation where the recording comprises the program content and thecommercial advertisement content but lacks the time-dependentpromotional content.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the above recited aspects are attained andcan be understood in detail, a more particular description ofembodiments of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had byreference to the appended drawings.

It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate onlytypical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to beconsidered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to otherequally effective embodiments.

FIG. 1 illustrates a system for providing live and VOD content,according to one embodiment described herein.

FIG. 2 is a timeslot playlist for live broadcast, according to oneembodiment described herein.

FIG. 3 is a timeslot playlist for VOD, according to one embodimentdescribed herein.

FIG. 4 is a timeslot playlist for VOD, according to one embodimentdescribed herein.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate removing time-dependent promotional contentfrom a media presentation, according to one embodiment described herein.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for removing time-dependent promotional contentfrom a media presentation to make a VOD recording, according to oneembodiment described herein.

To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have beenused, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common tothe figures. It is contemplated that elements disclosed in oneembodiment may be beneficially utilized on other embodiments withoutspecific recitation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments herein describe a content distribution system that removestime-dependent promotional content before providing a recording of amedia presentation (e.g., show or program) to a VOD provider. To receiveNielsen credit for a subscriber watching a recording of the mediapresentation using VOD, the recording must be almost the same as thelive version of the media presentation. That is, the recording includesthe same program content and commercial advertisements shown during thecommercial breaks of the live broadcast. However, some mediapresentations also include promotional content that a telecommunicationor cable provider adds to the presentation to promote other shows orevents being broadcasted later. For example, while displaying programcontent, a graphic or image may pop up in the bottom third of thedisplay screen (i.e., a snipe) that promotes a media presentation thatmay be airing next on the channel. In another example, instead ofshowing a commercial advertisement during a commercial break, onetimeslot may be used to show a promotional advertisement for a showairing later that day on the channel.

In addition to broadcasting the media presentation live, the contentdistribution system also provides a recording of the presentation thatcan be used by a VOD provider to provide the media presentation ondemand—i.e., when requested by a user. For example, a user may watch therecording of the media presentation one or two days after the mediapresentation aired live. By the time the user views the recording,however, the promotional content may already be outdated. That is, ifthe snipe promotes a different media presentation occurring on the sameday as the media presentation aired, if the user views the recording ofthe presentation the next day using VOD, the snipe is irrelevant orstale. The user may be frustrated having to view promotional contentthat is outdated. Instead, the embodiments herein describe techniquesfor removing time-dependent promotional content from a mediapresentation before the recording of the presentation is sent to a VODprovider. In one embodiment, the content distribution system includes acontent filter that identifies and removes time-dependent promotionalcontent from a timeslot playlist of the show. Once updated, thedistribution system can then use the new timeslot playlist to assemblethe content for the media presentation (e.g., the program and commercialcontent) and generate the recording of the presentation. In thisexample, the recording of the media presentation is the exact same asthe live version of the media presentation except that thetime-dependent promotional content has been removed. Removing thetime-dependent content may reduce clutter in the media presentation andimprove user satisfaction.

In another embodiment, the content distribution system may replace oralter the time-dependent promotional content with content that is nottime dependent. For example, if the snipe for the live broadcastpromoted a sporting event occurring next, the system may replace thatsnipe with a generic snipe that promotes the VOD provider or anothermedia presentation without, for example, referencing any particulartimeslot or date. Advantageously, the time-dependent content (e.g.,snipes and promotional advertisements) can be removed from the recordingprovided to the VOD provider and still be used to get Nielsen creditwhen viewed within a certain time period—e.g., within three days of thelive broadcast. Nielsen credit is important since this information isused to track the number of people viewing the show, which affects theprice a third party may pay for advertisements during the commercialbreaks. In one embodiment, the ratings for the VOD content arecumulative with the ratings of the live broadcast.

FIG. 1 illustrates a content distribution system 100 for providing liveand VOD content, according to one embodiment described herein. Althoughnot shown, the various components in the content distribution system 100may be software, hardware, firmware, or combinations thereof. Moreover,the system 100 may include any number of computing systems which includeprocessors and memory for performing the functions described herein.

The content distribution system 100 includes a scheduling system 105,automation control systems 115 and 125, a video playout system 140, anda transcoder 180. The scheduling system 105 generates a timeslotplaylist 110 for each media presentation or show. Generally, theplaylists 110 (an example of which is illustrated in FIG. 2) include alist of content (e.g., program segments, snipes, commercials,promotions, advertisements, other interstitial material, etc.) whichinstructs the automation control system 115 how to assemble the contentfor the corresponding media presentation. For example, the timeslotplaylist 110 may indicate that a first segment of the show is airedfirst followed by three minutes of commercials before the second segmentof the show is then aired. Moreover, different snipes may be played atthe same time the segments of the show are aired.

The scheduling system 105 sends the same timeslot playlist 120 to bothautomation control system 115 and automation control system 125.Generally, the top half of the system 100 illustrates a flow forproviding content that is intended for live broadcast either over awireless telecommunication network (e.g., over-the-air broadcast usingantennas) or a wired telecommunication network (e.g., a cable networkusing set top boxes). Conversely, the bottom half of the system 100illustrates a flow for providing content that is intended to bedelivered to a user via a VOD provider. That is, unlike in the top halfwhere the content generated by the system 100 is broadcasted during apredetermined timeslot, the content generated by the bottom half issaved by the VOD provider and only transmitted to a user in response toa user request.

The automation control system 115 uses the timeslot playlist 120 togenerate instructions for the video playout system 140 to assemble thecontent for the media presentation. As shown, the video playout system140 includes a content repository 145 which stores program content 150,commercial content 155, promotional content 160, and snipe content 165.The system 140 also includes a content assembler 170 which receives andprocesses the instructions from the automation control system 115. Forexample, if the timeslot playlist 120 indicates that the first time slotshould be the first segment of a show, the content assembler 170requests that segment from the program content 150 portion of therepository 145. The program content 150 may include the program content(along with individual segments) for a plurality of shows. For example,the program content 150 may include the pre-recorded content for all theshows that are broadcasted on the telecommunication or cable network.Using the playlist 120 and the instructions provided by the automationcontrol system 115, the content assembler 170 can retrieve thecorresponding show segments from the program content 150 portion of therepository 145.

The timeslot playlist 120 may also indicate timeslots where commercialcontent 155, promotional content 160, and snipe content 165 should beoutputted. Using this information, the content assembler 170 can gatherall the content for the media presentation and output the assembledcontent to the broadcast network and/or multichannel video programmingdistributor (MVPD)—e.g., a direct-broadcast satellite provider, cabletelevision provider, or telecommunication provider. As used herein, thecommercial content 155 includes advertisements aired during commercialbreaks that are paid for by third parties. The commercial content 155may be displayed between segments of the show or at the end of the mediapresentation—i.e., between shows. The promotional content 160 includesadvertisements aired during commercial breaks that promote shows orevents broadcasted by the network (i.e., the telecommunication,satellite, or cable company) or promote the network generally. Forexample, the promotional content 160 may be a sneak peak of the plotline for next week's show or a trailer for the show that follows thecurrent show on the network's broadcast timeline. The snipe content 165includes any graphics or text displayed that overlays the programcontent 150. Although the snipe content 165 can be a paid advertisementfor a third party, this content 165 is generally used to promote thenetwork or shows on the network like promotional content 160. Thecombination of all the content described above for a particular timeslotin a broadcast schedule is referred to as the media presentation.

The promotional content 160 and snipe content 165 can be time-dependentsuch that the information provided in this content can become staledepending on when the content is viewed by the user. For example, if thesnipe content 165 promotes the show that follows the current show, thisinformation is not as useful to a subscriber to the network who watchesthe media presentation later using VOD. Thus, as described below, thistime-dependent promotional content can be removed from the version ofthe media presentation distributed using VOD.

Before broadcasting the content a ratings insertion module 185 insertsadds ratings data to the content that enables a ratings agency (e.g.,Nielsen) to issue credit for the user viewing the content. The ratingsdata may include a watermark or other metadata that can provideinformation such as a source identification code, program contentprovider, final distributor, etc. Using this data, the ratings agencycan verify that the viewer watched the content which increases theratings of the content.

In one embodiment, the content assembler 170 streams the content to thebroadcast network. That is, the content assembler 170 may not wait toassemble all the content for a particular media presentation beforetransmitting the content to the broadcast network. The broadcast networkcan then immediately relay the content received from the contentassembler 170 to the viewers. Alternatively, the content assembler 170may wait until all the content for a particular media presentation hasbeen gathered before sending a recording of the combined content to thebroadcast network. For example, the content assembler 170 may sendrecordings for each timeslot for the day to the broadcast network orMVPD. The network or MVPD can save and then broadcast the individualrecordings of the media presentation during their correspondingtimeslots. In this example, the content distribution system 100 providesthe recordings for the live broadcast before the shows are scheduled tobe aired.

Unlike automation control system 115, the automation control system 125alters the timeslot playlist 120 received from the scheduling system 105to generate an adjusted timeslot playlist 135. Specifically, the system125 includes a content removal filter 130 that searches the timeslotplaylist 120 for time-dependent promotional content and removes thispromotional content from the playlist 120 when generating the adjustedtimeslot playlist 135. In other embodiments, the content removal filter130 replaces some or all of the time-dependent promotional content withother content that is not time dependent. For example, instead of asnipe that promotes the show next up in the broadcast schedule, thecontent removal filter 130 may insert a snipe into the playlist 135 thatpromotes the broadcast or cable network (e.g., a graphic or the logo ofthe network).

Using the adjusted timeslot playlist 135, the automation control system125 outputs instructions to the content assembler 170 in the videoplayout system 140 for preparing a recording of the media presentation.However, unlike a recording for live broadcast, here, a recording 175generated by the content assembler 170 lacks time-dependent promotionalcontent. Put differently, the recording of the assembled program 175 hassome promotional content removed relative to the recording used for thelive broadcast. However, in one embodiment, the recording 175 used forVOD has the same program content 150 and commercial content 155 suchthat a user viewing the recording 175 qualifies for Nielsen credit. Thatis, the recording 175 is a mirror of the broadcast content except thatat least some of the time dependent content (e.g., a snipe orpromotional material) has been removed. In this manner, the recording175 still enables a network to get Nielsen credit but removestime-dependent promotional content that may no longer be relevant whenviewed by a subscriber. For example, Nielsen credit can require the timecodes for the program content 150 and the paid commercial content 155 inthe VOD recording 175 to substantially match (e.g., within a second) thebroadcast content, but the snipe and promotional content are notrequired. Although the embodiments here describe generating a recordingthat qualifies for Nielsen credit, this disclosure may be used togenerate a recording that satisfies the requirements for any ratingagency or standard.

The ratings insertion module 185 adds ratings data to the recording 175that enables the ratings agency (e.g., Nielsen) to issue credit for theuser viewing the recording 175. As above, the ratings data may include awatermark or other metadata that can provide information such as asource identification code, program content provider, final distributor,etc.

Before sending the recording 175 to the VOD provider(s), the transcoder180 alters the format of the recording 175 to a digital format supportedby the VOD provider. For example, different providers may use differentaudio and/or video formats (e.g., compressed or uncompressed) for theircontent. The transcoder 180 changes the format of the recording 175 tothe format used by the VOD providers.

In one embodiment, the MVPD VOD providers transmit the recordingsreceived from the content distribution system 100 to subscribers to thebroadcast or cable network using their own network—e.g., a cable networkor satellite network—rather than using a general network such as theInternet. For example, receiving VOD content may require the subscribersto own a set top box which permits the user to select and stream the VODcontent via the provider's communication network. In one embodiment, thetranscoder 180 can provide the recording 175 to any type of contentdistributor such as a MVPD VOD, internet content provider, streamingservice, and the like.

However, in another embodiment, the content distribution system 100 maytransmit the transcoded media presentation to the user (e.g., via theInternet) without using a MVPD VOD provider or other content provider.For example, a user device may include an application that permits theuser to request a particular show directly from the content distributionsystem 100. In response to a user request, the content distributionsystem 100 transmits a copy of the recording 175 of the mediapresentation (which lacks the time-dependent promotional content) to theuser.

Although FIG. 1 illustrates two separate video playout systems 140, inone embodiment, the system 100 may include only one video playout system140 that is accessed to generate the recordings for the live broadcastas well as the recordings for VOD. For example, the video playout system140 may be a data center which can execute simultaneous requests frommultiple automation control systems. That is, the content assembler 170can generate a recording for live broadcast at the same time theassembler generates a recording for VOD. Similarly, although FIG. 1illustrate two separate automation control systems, the functionsdescribed herein may be performed by a single application which cangenerate instructions for the video playout system 140 for live and VODrecordings in parallel.

FIG. 2 is a timeslot playlist 120 for live broadcast, according to oneembodiment described herein. In one embodiment, the timeslot playlist120 is the same playlist 120 that is transmitted to both automationcontrol systems 115 and 125 from the scheduling system 105 shown inFIG. 1. As shown, the playlist 120 includes a list of rows that dictatewhat content is being played at what time during the timeslot for themedia presentation. In this example, row 1 of the playlist 120 indicatesthat program content—i.e., “Segment 1”—should be outputted first. Forexample, the media presentation may be an hour long and is divided intothree segments separated by respective commercials breaks. Here, Segment1 of the show begins at time 00:00 and lasts for a duration of twentyminutes.

During Segment 1, the playlist 120 dictates that two different snipesshould be aired as shown in rows 2 and 3. The snipe “Holiday_Logo”begins at timestamp 4:17 in the media presentation and lasts for tenseconds. The snipe “Next_Up” begins at timestamp 6:30 and lasts forfifteen seconds. Both of these snipes include promotional content thatis time dependent. That is, the snipes provide promotional content thatis relevant based on when the media presentation is viewed by the user.In one embodiment, the time-dependent promotional content promotes anevent that occurs in the past depending on when the user views therecording such as whether the Holiday corresponding to the“Holiday_Logo” has passed or if the next show following the currentmedia presentation has already aired.

After twenty minutes, Segment 1 completes and the commercial breakbegins at row 4 where a commercial advertisement for “Product_X” isaired for thirty seconds. The commercial break includes two othercommercial advertisements (e.g., commercial content 155) at rows 5 and6. Furthermore, the playlist 120 dictates that a promo titled “Show_X”should be aired at timestamp 20:45. Unlike the commercialadvertisements, the promo informs the user about another show affiliatedwith the broadcast network. In one example, the promo is atime-dependent promo which provides a sneak peak of this week's episodeof Show_X. Alternatively, the promo may be a general trailer of Show_Xthat is relevant for describing the media presentation regardless ofwhen the promo is viewed by the user (either live or using VOD).

Once the commercial break is over, the playlist 120 indicates that“Segment_2” of the program is aired at the 21:45 timestamp and lasts foranother twenty minutes. Like above, two more snipes are displayed duringSegment_2 before a second commercial break begins at timestamp 41:45. Inthis example, the snipe at row 9 is the same as the snipe aired at row2, and thus, includes time-dependent information. However, the snipe atrow 10 titled “Standard_Logo” includes a graphic illustrating thetrademark or logo of the broadcast network. As such, this snipe does notinclude time-dependent content.

In one embodiment, the playlist 120 is not changed by the automationcontrol system 115 for generating a recording for live broadcast.However, because of the time-dependent content in playlist 120, thecontent removal filter 130 removes some or all of the time-dependentpromotional content before generating a recording for VOD providers.

FIG. 3 is the adjusted timeslot playlist 135 for VOD, according to oneembodiment described herein. While timeslot playlist 120 in FIG. 2 isused to generate the live recording, the adjusted timeslot playlist 135is used for generating the VOD recording. As shown, the playlist 135 hasthe same program and commercial content as playlist 120. That is,program segments and commercial advertisements shown in rows 1, 4-8, and10 of playlist 120 are also in playlist 135. Moreover, the duration andtimestamps for these common events are the same. As such, the playlist135 satisfies the requirements for receiving Nielsen credit.

However, the content removal filter 130 in FIG. 1 has removed some ofthe time-dependent promotional content from the playlist 120 whengenerating the adjusted playlist 135. Specifically, the filter 130removed the snipes at rows 2, 3, and 9 from playlist 120. As such, auser viewing the VOD recording generated using playlist 135 does not seethe Holiday_Logo and Next_Up snipes that a user viewing the liverecording would see. However, the content removal filter 130 did notremove the Standard_Logo snipe from the playlist 135 since this snipedoes not include time-dependent promotional content. Instead, theStandard_Logo promotes the broadcast network generally without itsrelevance being dependent on when the user views the snipe.

As described above, the automation control system 125 uses the adjustedtimeslot playlist 135 to generate a recording for distribution to VODproviders. Although playlist 135 removes all the snipes that includetime-dependent promotional content, in other embodiments, the contentremoval filter 130 may determine a time when the promotional contentbecomes stale—i.e., when the content is no longer relevant—and use thisinformation to determine whether to keep or remove the snipe from theplaylist 135. For example, if the snipe promotes a media presentationthat is next up in the broadcast lineup or an episode of the mediapresentation that airs next week, the content removal filter 130 removesthe snipe. However, if the snipe promotes an important sporting eventthat is scheduled to be broadcasted on the network in a month, thefilter 130 may keep the snipe in the playlist 135 so that subscriberswho view the media presentation via VOD know that the future sportingevent will be broadcasted on the network. In this example, the contentremoval filter 130 uses a threshold (e.g., if the promotional contentbecomes stale in two weeks) to determine whether to keep or remove thetime-dependent promotional content from the adjusted playlist 135.

FIG. 4 is an adjusted timeslot playlist 400 for VOD, according to oneembodiment described herein. Like the timeslot playlist 135, thetimeslot playlist 400 is derived from the timeslot playlist 120illustrated in FIG. 2. Here, the content removal filter 130 replaces thetime-dependent promotional content with promotional content that is nottime dependent. For example, the snipe at row 2 of playlist 120 (i.e.,“Holiday_Logo”) is replaced in playlist 400 with a snipe titled“Generic_Logo” which may be a graphic of the logo or trademark of thebroadcast or cable network providing the VOD service. Thus, in additionto removing the time-dependent content (e.g., the snipes in row 2 and 3in playlist 120), the filter 130 can add in snipes that are not timedependent.

Moreover, when generating playlist 400, the filter 130 replaces thepromo at the timestamp 20:40 from a time-dependent promotion of Show_Xwith a generic promotion “Generic_promo” of the broadcast or cablecompany. For example, the generic promotion may tout the success of thecompany or state that the company has the most popular shows during thisportion of the commercial break. Although the promotional contentinserted by the content filter 130 may have no time sensitivity, inother embodiments, the inserted content may have some time sensitivityto when the user views the recording derived from the playlist 400. Forexample, the Generic_promo may state that a morning talk show on thenetwork was the nation's most watched morning show last year. If thispromo is viewed the following year, this promo may no longer be relevantor up to date. However, because the information becomes stale a longtime after the VOD content becomes available, the filter 130 cannonetheless insert this promotion into the playlist 400. Thus, thecontent inserted into the playlist 400 does not need to be completelydevoid of time-dependent content.

Using playlist 400, the automation control system 125 can generate arecording for VOD providers which replaces the time-dependent content inthe snipes and the promotional advertisement with content that is deemedas not being time dependent. In this manner, the user does not have towatch content that is stale or out of date.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate removing time-dependent promotional contentfrom a show, according to one embodiment described herein. FIG. 5Aillustrates a frame 500 from a recording for a live broadcast while FIG.5B illustrates a frame 550 from a recording for VOD. Frame 500 includesprogram content 505 from a media presentation that is overlaid by atime-dependent snipe 515 that appears on a bottom third 510 of the frame500. In one embodiment, the bottom third 510 is reserved for thebroadcast or cable network to display different snipes or informationover the program content 505.

The snipe 515 may include a graphic or animation of an athlete runningacross the screen to advertise a sporting event occurring after themedia presentation is over. Although this snipe 515 is relevant to userwho is watching the media presentation live in its scheduled time slot,this information may be stale for someone watching the mediapresentation using VOD. Thus, frame 500 may be used only in a recordingprepared for a live broadcast.

In contrast, frame 550 may be used in a recording of the mediapresentation for VOD. The program content 505 in both frames 500 and 550are the same, however, the snipe 515 has been replaced with a genericsnipe 555. The snipe 555 promotes the VOD provider and displays the logoof the provider. Here, the frame 550 may correspond to the playlist 400shown in FIG. 4 where the Generic_Logo snipe is displayed at the 4:17timestamp.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart 600 for removing time-dependent promotionalcontent from a media presentation to make a VOD recording, according toone embodiment described herein. At block 605, an automation controlsystem receives a timeslot playlist indicating content to be provided toa viewer by a VOD provider. The timeslot playlist includestime-dependent promotional content that contains information that isrelevant depending on when a user views the recording corresponding tothe media presentation. For example, if the user views the mediapresentation before a certain date, the time-dependent content isrelevant and up to date. However, if viewed after the date, thetime-dependent content is stale and is irrelevant. The time-dependentpromotional content may be, for example, a snipe overlaying the programcontent or a promotional advertisement shown during a commercial break.

At block 610, the content removal filter identifies and removes thetime-dependent promotional content from the timeslot playlist togenerate an adjusted timeslot playlist. To identify the time-dependentpromotional content, in one embodiment, the content removal filterincludes a list of all snipes and promotional content that containstime-dependent content. For example, when content is added to thecontent repository, promotional content that is time dependent isflagged so that it can be removed by the filter. In another embodiment,the promotional content may include an expiration date that indicateswhen the information in the promotional content becomes stale. Thecontent removal filter may compare this date to a threshold to determinewhether to keep the promotional content in the adjusted playlist orremove the content. For example, the filter may remove snipes that haveexpiration dates that are within two weeks of the current date.

In one embodiment, the adjusted timeslot playlist satisfies therequirements for receiving Nielsen credit for a user who watches arecording generated from the adjusted playlist. As such, the adjustedtimeslot playlist has the same program content and commercialadvertisement content as the original timeslot playlist.

At block 615, a content assembler assembles the content indicated in theadjusted timeslot playlist to generate a recording of the mediapresentation that lacks the time-dependent promotional content. Forexample, the time-dependent snipe 515 shown in FIG. 5A may be removedfrom the recording or replaced by the generic snipe 555 shown in FIG.5B.

At block 620, a transcoder transcodes the recording into one or moreformats compatible with the VOD providers. At block 625, the contentdistribution system provides the transcoded recording to the MVPD VODproviders. At block 630, the VOD providers transmit the recording to aviewer in response to the viewer selecting the media presentation. Inone embodiment, the recording is stored by the VOD provider and not atthe location of the client. That is, instead of being stored on a localdigital video recorder (DVR) which the viewer can access to watch themedia presentation, the recording may be streamed to the user via theprovider's network in response to a request from the user to watch themedia presentation. In one embodiment, the user may have the ability tofast forward through the recording (e.g., to skip commercial) whenstreaming the presentation from the VOD provider, but in otherembodiments, the user has to watch the commercials to receive Nielsencredit.

In one embodiment, the content removal filter may remove other portionsof the adjusted timeslot playlist after the window for receiving Nielsencredit closes. To get Nielsen credit, the user may have to watch therecording using VOD within seven days of when the media presentationaired live. Once the window for getting credit has closed, in oneembodiment, the automation control system may remove the commercialsfrom the adjusted timeslot playlist to generate a new recording for theVOD providers. Alternatively, once the credit window closes, theautomation control system may insert a different set of commercials toreplace the commercials that aired originally in the media presentation.

In the preceding, reference is made to embodiments of the invention.However, it should be understood that the invention is not limited tospecific described embodiments. Instead, any combination of thepreceding features and elements, whether related to differentembodiments or not, is contemplated to implement and practice theinvention. Furthermore, although embodiments of the invention mayachieve advantages over other possible solutions and/or over the priorart, whether or not a particular advantage is achieved by a givenembodiment is not limiting of the invention. Thus, the aspects,features, embodiments and advantages described herein are merelyillustrative and are not considered elements or limitations of theappended claims except where explicitly recited in a claim(s). Likewise,reference to “the invention” shall not be construed as a generalizationof any inventive subject matter disclosed herein and shall not beconsidered to be an element or limitation of the appended claims exceptwhere explicitly recited in a claim(s).

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the presentinvention may be embodied as a system, method or computer programproduct. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the formof an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment(including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or anembodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may allgenerally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.”Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take the form of acomputer program product embodied in one or more computer readablemedium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon.

Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may beutilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signalmedium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readablestorage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic,magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system,apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. Morespecific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readablestorage medium would include the following: an electrical connectionhaving one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, arandom access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber,a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storagedevice, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storagemedium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store a programfor use by or in connection with an instruction execution system,apparatus, or device.

A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signalwith computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, inbaseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may takeany of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to,electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. Acomputer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium thatis not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate,propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmittedusing any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless,wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination ofthe foregoing.

Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of thepresent invention may be written in any combination of one or moreprogramming languages, including an object oriented programming languagesuch as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional proceduralprogramming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similarprogramming languages. The program code may execute entirely on theuser's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alonesoftware package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remotecomputer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latterscenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computerthrough any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or awide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an externalcomputer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet ServiceProvider).

Aspects of the present invention are described above with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer program instructions. These computer program instructions maybe provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, specialpurpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus toproduce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via theprocessor of the computer or other programmable data processingapparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified inthe flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computerreadable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable dataprocessing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readablemedium produce an article of manufacture including instructions whichimplement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer,other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to causea series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, otherprogrammable apparatus or other devices to produce a computerimplemented process such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer or other programmable apparatus provide processes forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof code, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be notedthat, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in theblock may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, twoblocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantiallyconcurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverseorder or out of order, depending upon the functionality involved. Itwill also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/orflowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagramsand/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purposehardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts, orcombinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention,other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised withoutdeparting from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof isdetermined by the claims that follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for providing a recording of a mediapresentation, the method comprising: receiving a timeslot playlist forthe media presentation, wherein the timeslot playlist comprises a listof content to be provided to a user, wherein the list of contentcomprises entries for program content and commercial advertisementcontent; identifying time-dependent promotional content in the list ofcontent for the timeslot playlist, wherein the time-dependentpromotional content contains information that is relevant depending onwhen the user views the media presentation; removing the time-dependentpromotional content from the timeslot playlist to generate an adjustedtimeslot playlist; and assembling, using one or more computerprocessors, content listed in the adjusted timeslot playlist to generatethe recording of the media presentation, wherein the recording comprisesthe program content and the commercial advertisement content but lacksthe time-dependent promotional content.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein a total duration of the list of content in the timeslot playlistis the same as a total duration of a list of content in the adjustedtimeslot playlist.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:assembling the content listed in the timeslot playlist to generate adifferent recording of the media presentation for a live broadcast,wherein the different recording includes the time-dependent promotionalcontent.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the list of content in thetimeslot playlist includes a snipe comprising the time-dependentpromotional content, wherein the snipe is configured to overlay theprogram content.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the list of contentin the timeslot playlist includes promotional content comprising thetime-dependent promotional content, wherein the promotional content isscheduled to be outputted during a commercial break in the mediapresentation.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: replacing,before assembling the content listed in the adjusted timeslot playlist,the time-dependent promotional content in the adjusted timeslot playlistwith promotional content that is not time dependent, wherein thepromotional content promotes at least one of a video-on-demand (VOD)provider and a different media presentation affiliated with the VODprovider; and transmitting the recording to the VOD provider fordistribution to the user in response to a user request.
 7. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the information in the time-dependent promotionalcontent promotes an event that occurs in the past depending on when theuser views the recording.
 8. A non-transitory computer readable storagemedium comprising: computer-readable program code for providing arecording of a media presentation, wherein, when executed by a computingprocessor, the computer-readable program code performs an operationcomprising: receiving a timeslot playlist for the media presentation,wherein the timeslot playlist comprises a list of content to be providedto a user, wherein the list of content comprises entries for programcontent and commercial advertisement content; identifying time-dependentpromotional content in the list of content for the timeslot playlist,wherein the time-dependent promotional content contains information thatis relevant depending on when the user views the media presentation;removing the time-dependent promotional content from the timeslotplaylist to generate an adjusted timeslot playlist; and assemblingcontent listed in the adjusted timeslot playlist to generate therecording of the media presentation, wherein the recording comprises theprogram content and the commercial advertisement content but lacks thetime-dependent promotional content.
 9. The computer readable storagemedium of claim 8, wherein a total duration of the list of content inthe timeslot playlist is the same as a total duration of a list ofcontent in the adjusted timeslot playlist.
 10. The computer readablestorage medium of claim 8, wherein the operation further comprises:assembling the content listed in the timeslot playlist to generate adifferent recording of the media presentation for a live broadcast,wherein the different recording includes the time-dependent promotionalcontent.
 11. The computer readable storage medium of claim 8, whereinthe list of content in the timeslot playlist includes a snipe comprisingthe time-dependent promotional content, wherein the snipe is configuredto overlay the program content.
 12. The computer readable storage mediumof claim 8, wherein the list of content in the timeslot playlistincludes promotional content comprising the time-dependent promotionalcontent, wherein the promotional content is scheduled to be outputtedduring a commercial break in the media presentation.
 13. The computerreadable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the operation furthercomprises: replacing, before assembling the content listed in theadjusted timeslot playlist, the time-dependent promotional content inthe adjusted timeslot playlist with promotional content that is not timedependent, wherein the promotional content promotes at least one of avideo-on-demand (VOD) provider and a different media presentationaffiliated with the VOD provider; and transmitting the recording to theVOD provider for distribution to the user in response to a user request.14. The computer readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein theinformation in the time-dependent promotional content promotes an eventthat occurs in the past depending on when the user views the recording.15. A system, comprising: one or more computing processors; and a memorycomprising a program that when executed by the one or more computerprocessor performs an operation comprising: receiving a timeslotplaylist for a media presentation, wherein the timeslot playlistcomprises a list of content to be provided to a user, wherein the listof content comprises entries for program content and commercialadvertisement content; identifying time-dependent promotional content inthe list of content for the timeslot playlist, wherein thetime-dependent promotional content contains information that is relevantdepending on when the user views the media presentation; removing thetime-dependent promotional content from the timeslot playlist togenerate an adjusted timeslot playlist; and assembling content listed inthe adjusted timeslot playlist to generate a recording of the mediapresentation, wherein the recording comprises the program content andthe commercial advertisement content but lacks the time-dependentpromotional content.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein a totalduration of the list of content in the timeslot playlist is the same asa total duration of a list of content in the adjusted timeslot playlist.17. The system of claim 15, wherein the operation further comprises:assembling the content listed in the timeslot playlist to generate adifferent recording of the media presentation for a live broadcast,wherein the different recording includes the time-dependent promotionalcontent.
 18. The system of claim 15, wherein the list of content in thetimeslot playlist includes a snipe comprising the time-dependentpromotional content, wherein the snipe is configured to overlay theprogram content.
 19. The system of claim 15, wherein the list of contentin the timeslot playlist includes promotional content comprising thetime-dependent promotional content, wherein the promotional content isscheduled to be outputted during a commercial break in the mediapresentation.
 20. The system of claim 15, wherein the information in thetime-dependent promotional content promotes an event that occurs in thepast depending on when the user views the recording.